While Puteri Umno divisions are free to nominate any candidate to contest for the wing's No 1 post, it appears that incumbent Azalina Othman Said remains the favourite choice.

The wing's information chief Bibi Sharliza Abdul Khalid said it is up to division leaders to nominate individuals whom they feel are capable of leading the two-year-old wing, whose membership is opened to women between the age of 16 and 35.

"I'm convinced that Azalina would not have any problem to get the two nominations needed, at least in Negeri Sembilan where I am the state chief," she told malaysiakini.

Bibi Sharliza who replaced Puteri chief contender Mastina Abdul Hamid in January this year is confident that all seven divisions in Negeri Sembilan will throw their weight behind Azalina.

Mastina and another former exco member, Raihan Suleiman Palestine, have expressed their intention to contest for the top post in this November's election.

"I don't think that Puteri Umno members at the grassroots level know Raihan and Mastina as much as they know Azalina, who always goes to the ground," added Bibi Sharliza.

'Outstanding' credibility

Apart from Bibi Sharliza, the wing's Johor, Kelantan, Malacca and Kedah chiefs also expressed undivided support for Azalina.

"I bet Mastina and Raihan will not get any nomination from any of the15 Kedah divisions," said the state's chief Suraya Yaacob when contacted.

She said all the negative stories about Azalina would not deter the divisions from supporting her as the members are aware of her 'outstanding' credibility.

"She has yet to be proven guilty for any misconducts despite the various allegations," she added.

In April, a tabloid Perdana Sari accused Azalina of having sexual relations with the wife of a prominent businessman.

The tabloid also claimed that Azalina, who was handpicked by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had misused the wing's funds to purchase a luxury car for her lover.

Meanwhile, Johor Puteri Umno chief Fahariyah Mat Nordin also pledged support for Azalina, adding that all the 20 divisions in the state are expected to nominate her.

"It is up to the divisions to nominate any person they like, but I have a strong feeling that Azalina is the favourite here," said Fahariyah.

Kelantan Puteri Umno chief Yusmita Mohd Yusof also believed that the 14 divisions in her state will nominate Azalina.

Meanwhile, Malacca state chief Rosfina Rahmat said: "She (Azalina) is much more credible than her two possible contestants. I don't think that the duo can pose any threat to Azalina,"

Two nominations

According to Puteri Umno's constitution, a member only needs two nominations in order to contest for the top post.

Besides Mastina and Raihan who were sacked as excos by Azalina nobody else has expressed the desire to vie for the post.

While Mastina is said to be contesting as a show of protest against her sacking, Raihan claimed that her mission is to save Puteri Umno from the clutches of a 'not credible' leadership.

Yesterday, Raihan and Azalina's former close aide Elly @ Zalilah Mohd Yusof lodged separate reports with the Umno management committee regarding the Puteri Umno chief's alleged misconduct.

Last week, Elly had lodged a police report regarding the matter after claiming that her complaints about Azalina to senior party leaders were not entertained.